According to dentists, brushing and flossing twice a day can result in the best oral health. However, what exactly is flossing and how is it done?
Using a thin thread known as dental floss, flossing is the process of cleaning in between your teeth to get rid of plaque and food particles. Dental floss is often composed of nylon, Teflon, or polymers that are comparable, and it can be waxed or unwaxed.
Methods For Flossing
While flossing is essential, doing it incorrectly can cause damage to your gums as well as yield no results at all.
Braces-free flossing
- About 18 to 24 inches of dental floss should be cut off. Just about 1 or 2 inches should remain after you wind the entire length of the floss around your middle fingers. This makes it easier for you to grasp the floss and guarantees that you have enough to utilize a fresh segment for every tooth.
- To make it easier for the floss to get between your teeth, hold it taut with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Place the floss in the crevices between your teeth and use upward and downward motions to rub it against both teeth. To get into the space between your gum and tooth, curl your floss at the base of your teeth to produce a C shape as you approach the gum. Avoid gliding the floss into the gums, as this may result in sores or bruises.
- Use a fresh piece of floss for each area of the gaps between your teeth as you repeat the procedure.
Flossing while Wearing Braces
- It is more difficult to floss when wearing braces because you have to be careful not to cut your teeth or break the braces.
- About 18 to 24 inches of floss should break off. Try using waxed floss for this. To make sure the floss goes where you want it to, make sure you floss in front of a mirror.
- To make moving the floss easier, thread it between two teeth and the main wire. Then, wrap the ends of the floss around your index fingers.
- After gently pressing the floss between the teeth, run it down the sides of the teeth using up-and-down motions.
- Once the floss reaches the top of the teeth, form a letter ‘n’ with it. To do that, lift the floss up to the gum line on one tooth’s side and then carefully move it down the tooth’s other side.
- Carefully remove and unthread the floss from the back of the main wire. Avoid pulling the floss out of your teeth, as this could cause the wire to come loose. and apply the same technique to each tooth.
When Should You Floss?
One common query is whether flossing should be done first or after brushing.
You can floss whenever you choose during the day; there is no optimal time to do so. But, since brushing helps eliminate all the loose plaque that flossing leaves behind, it would be beneficial to floss first.
Your gums are delicate, so after using dental floss for the first time, leaves can bleed a bit. The bleeding should stop in a few days if you keep flossing as your dentist instructed. Visit your dentist if it doesn’t.
The Reasons for Flossing
- Your teeth have five surfaces, and each one is equally susceptible to bacteria, food particles, and plaque accumulation. Flossing is a useful tool for cleaning spots that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
- It assists in clearing plaque accumulation from tooth gaps that may lead to cavities that produce acid. Additionally, the acid may cause gum irritation, which could lead to gum disease.
- Additionally, flossing aids in the removal of food particles that may be the cause of cavities, tooth decay, and toothaches.
Conclusion
Flossing, along with brushing twice a day, can help prevent many dental problems.
Speak with the Dentist in Goregaon West at Dr. Suryanarayanan Dental Clinic if you want the best guidance on why, how, and when to floss your teeth.
